Skirt-lifter.



No. 683,597.l

Patented Oct. l, 190|. E. M. FDBEHAND.

SKIRT LIFTEB. "(Appueaeion med'my 21, 1901.)

(No Model.)

wi cunas Perma Y vuoToLrrNo., wAsHwawn, c:v c.

Patented oct. 190|.

E. M. FOREHAND.

SKIRT LIFTER.

(Application led May 21, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

las

wigesses QQ@ UNITED TAT-Es PATENT FFIC.

ELIZABETH M. FOREHAND, OF KOKOMO, INDIANA.

sKmT-UFTER.

SPECIFICATIONox-ming part of Letters Patent No. 683,597, 'dated Octobei.` 1, 190i. Application r11-ea May 1, 1901. serai no. 61,253. nt maden T0 all whom, it 1v1/ty concern:

Be it known that I, ELIZABETH M. F'oRE- HAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kokomo, in the county of Howard and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Skirt=Lifter, of which the following is a speciication.

This invention relates to a skirt-lifter; and the object ot' the same is to provide simple and eective means vwhich are concealed under the outer garments and attached to the front and rear portions of the skirt, so that the latter may be elevated equally all around, and thus quickly convert a long skirt into a short or rainy-day skirt, which operation is easily controlled by the wearer without requiring any of the garments to be loosened or opened, the skirt remaining elevated after the adjustment is made without attention or the least holding by the wearer.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a igure showing the method of elevating a skirt from the exterior by means of the improved skirt-lifter. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a separable girth or band adapted to be worn around the waist similar to a belt and under the skirt and having thereon and in connection therewith the improved skirtlifter devices. Fig. 3 is an elevation of a corset, showing the improved device applied thereto. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a belt which may form an attached part of the skirt and also embody the features of the invention.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several `views.

The numeral l, Fig. 2, designates a girth or band formed of two separable sections 2 and 3, having one set of terminals connected by hooks and eyes 4 and the other set of terminals provided with buttons and button-l holes 5 and 6. It will be understood, however, that both sets of terminals may be provided with the same kind of separable fastenings. This girth or band isworn inside of the skirt at about the waist-line and depends partially over the hips. Adjacent to the lower edge of each section, on the outer side of the said girth or band; a series of th're pulleys or sheaves 7 are applied', and leading upwardly therefrom are resilient coiled-wire tubes 8, one from each pulley, the said tubes being secured in such manner as to always have a positive position on the girth or band; The several tubes on each section are converged toward the upper edge of each section and project above said edge or have a short length of the same projected beyond the securement means nearest the upper terminals of the same. n By the use of coiled wire in the formation of the tubes they are held open regularly throughout their full length, and they are also rendered resilient to conform with the change of shape or position when the girth is applied without crushing the same. Movably extending through the said tubes and engaging the pulleys or sheaves 7 are cords, wires, or the like, as at 9, the latter devices forming pulling means and which extend above the upper terminals of the tubes and connected to each other and provided with a terminal loop 10 for simultaneously operating the same, or the upper ends of said pulling means may be secured to a tassel, button, or other device. The several pulling devices may extend below the lower edges of the girthsections any suitable distance, the length of the samebeing regulated by the length of the skirt, and at their lower ends said pulling devices will be provided withloops 11 to catch over buttons, hooks, or other devices secured at proper intervals and at a suitable elevation on the inner side of the skirt. Instead of using loops at the lower ends of the pulling devices hooks of ordinary form or clasps may be obviously substituted, and this change will be governed by the desire of the user.

In Fig. 3 the improved device is shown applied to a corset, all the parts being the same v IOO thereon in the same construction as that heretofore set forth, the'tubes being converged inwardly or all concentrated toward a central point instead of in an outward direction, as

sides, so that an equal pulling ten-sion will' be exerted on all portions of the skirt to equally elevate the same throughout its entire circumference. By having the upper terminals of the tubes projected above the upper fastening means therefor, as shown in all the forms of application, a tendency toward abrading wear on the pulling means 9 by the said upper fastening means or the adjacent edge of the girth-or band and also a bind of the said means at said port-ions of the tubes will be prevented.

The improved device as an entirety will Work-very easily and reliably and can be readily applied in operative position Without mutilating the skirt or requiring any change in the construction of the latter. The device as illustrated by Fig. 4 is particularly intended to be made a part of the skirt, so that it Will be unnecessary to detach the lifting devices from the skirt when removing the latter from the person.

The device shown by Fig.'

Many other changes will suggest them selves; but it will be understood that the general application indicated by the several devices shown will convey the idea that all such changes Within the scope of the invention are fully contemplated. The number of cords and pulleys may be increased, if desired, and it will be seen also that the skirt can be lifted at one side or at the back Without lifting the entire skirt.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is= l. A skirt-elevator comprising supporting means, series of resilient tubes arranged thereon and converged toward their upper terminals, lower series of pulleys, and pulling devices freely movable through the said tubes and engaging the pulleys.

2. A skirt-elevator comprising supporting means, series of resilient tubes arranged thereon and converged toward their upper terminals, securing devices engaging the upper portions of the tubes slightly below the upper ends thereof to prevent abrading Wear and binding on the pulling means disposed in said tubes, and pulling means freely movable through the said tubes.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

ELIZABETH M. FORE HAND.

Witnesses:

O. B. F. CLARK, S. C. MILLS. 

